Evaluation of Epistasis in a Selected Group of S₁ Lines of Corn

Authors

Charles Hasten Padgett, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Document Type

Thesis

Date of this Version

6-1967

Citation

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nebraska--Lincoln, 1967. Department of Agronomy.

Comments

Copyrigh 1967, the author. Used by permission.

Abstract

This study was conducted to test for epistatic gene effects in a group of S₁ lines showing very low specific combining ability in previous testcrosses with a single cross hybrid as the tester parent. Epistatic gene effects were measured as deviations of the observed from predicted double cross performance. The predicted double cross performance was based upon three-way cross performance of the selected S₁ lines.

A group of S₁ lines being tested for specific combining ability with a single cross tester produced results which indicated that epistatic gene action was present. A group of these S₁ lines showing high specific combining ability were selected to test for epistatic gene action.

Three-way crosses and double crosses were made using the S₁ lines and the single cross, Wf9xN6. Two replications of the three-way crosses and double crosses were planted 1965 and 1966. Double cross performance was predicted using the three-way cross data for yield and moisture of grain at harvest.

Advisor: John H. Lonnquist.